For infants and toddlers, small, detachable pieces on clothing items present a choking hazard. Snaps, buttons, zipper heads, bows, rhinestones and other decorative appliques are all a concern.
Parents should routinely check clothing with small pieces to make sure they are securely attached.
Drawstrings, Shoelaces, ribbons and other dangling clothing attachments pose a strangulation hazard. . Loosely-knitted fabrics, seams and loose threads can wrap around a baby's digits or limbs, posing a risk of circulation being cut off. Check clothing frequently, and opt for tightly-woven garments. Skin can get caught in zippers, so these mechanisms are best avoided on young children's clothing. Metal objects, such as snaps and zippers, can become dangerously hot and potentially burn a child, particularly when left in the sun, near a heating unit or when put into a dryer, so it's best to avoid metal components on children's clothing as well.
Clothing is an important part of our everyday lives. It keeps us warm and protects us from the weather. It may seem surprising, but clothing can also be dangerous for children.
Did you know?
A child can:
- be strangled if a hood or drawstring gets caught on playground equipment, fences, or in car or bus doors
- choke on buttons that come loose on their clothes
- be burned very badly if their clothes catch fire
To protect your child from getting hurt by clothing, they need to:
- be supervised by an adult
- have a safe area to play and move around in
- be taught what could hurt them
- do activities that are right for their age
How can I dress my child to protect them from getting burned?
- Teach your children about the dangers of fire. If their clothes catch fire, teach them to "STOP, DROP, and ROLL".
- Make sure your child is wearing flame resistant pajamas when you put them to bed. Day clothes, like t-shirts, may not protect them from getting burned.
- Choose pajamas made of polyester or nylon. This material burns slower than cotton or cotton blend fabric.
- Dress your child in pajamas with tight fitting ankles, waists, and wrists. Tight fitting pajamas are less likely to catch fire than loose fitting pajamas.
How can I dress my child to protect them from choking?
- Take all the drawstrings and cords out of your child’s clothes.
- Don’t let your child wear a scarf or helmet when they play on playground equipment.
- Check that belts, ties, and sashes are firmly attached to clothing and are not long enough to wrap around your child’s neck.
- Take the hoods off your child’s clothes or make sure the hood will come off if it catches on something. Hoods attached with Velcro® are best.
- Check that buttons and other small parts are firmly attached to clothing and won’t come loose.
- Make sure that blankets and sleepers don’t have any loose threads. Threads can wrap around fingers and can cut off blood supply.
How can I dress my child to protect them from falling?
- Choose shoes with Velcro® straps until your child is able to tie shoelaces.
- Make sure shoelaces are tight and tied properly so they don’t come loose.
- Make sure your child wears properly fitted shoes.
